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 Allbooks recommends this book! Sep 26, 2006
Genre: Non Fiction
Title: Behind the Union Curtain
AUTHOR: Richard e. Sall
An insightful chronicle tracing the role of unions in the United States and Europe, Dr. Richard Sall examines the types of unions and their conceptual and present day relevance and agendas.
Written specifically to address the union effect on Workers Compensation, the book spins off in many related directions that I found both enlightening and disturbing. Of particular note was the foothold the labor unions have in our government and how the dollars to support these union costs are paid by the taxpayer not just for operations, but for "bail-outs" of union dominated industries such as the major airlines.
"Behind the Union Curtain" reads like a college text, but will draw you in if you have even a passing interest in the subject. Dr Sall has exhaustively researched the topic and objectively condensed his findings into a readable summary that I highly recommend to anyone curious about unions and their value to the United States citizen and economy.
Dr. Richard E Sall, M.D. is a physician and practices in Central California.
Reviewer: Charles Adams, Allbooks Review s
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Mona Lisa Safai- TCM Reviews Aug 14, 2006
In Behind the Union Curtain, Dr. Richard Sall chronicles the history of American labor organizations. He begins his depiction in the 1800s and chronicles throughout history introducing his readers to unions, yellow dog contracts, floating laborers, corporate monopolies, and company doctors. In particular, he successfully interlinks the connection between union organizations and company doctors by describing their dysfunctional "feeding" off each other. Over time, this discontent is recognized and the law enters as a salve.
His book teaches readers about how the union system emerged, functions and/or does not function, and reveals the reasons for a decline in union membership, but a need for unions. His thorough attention to historical content contributes to a well researched book. This is especially expressed in the latter half in actual case studies, yellow dog contracts, and law suits portraying the status of unions in present day.
As a physician, Dr. Sall gives the reader he/she otherwise may not have been privy to on a daily basis. His shared knowledge may surprise his audience but certainly is a must read for everyone eager to learn about history, politics, and how our labor union in America came to be in general. His elegant simplicity in style keeps the reader turning the page, without any fear of confusion or boredom.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Tumultuous evolution of labor unions Aug 04, 2006
Reviewed by William E. Cooper for Reader Views (7/06)
As a career law enforcement officer who was involved with unions, both as a member and as the Chief of Police of a municipal department, I have considerable experience with unions and associated issues. I studied labor issues and asked the questions about why labor-management conflict exists and what remediation strategies were possible. I learned very quickly that solutions could be premised on simple management principles in most cases. Part of my own book, Leading Beyond Tradition, discusses leadership and labor issues.
Dr. Sall provides his readers with an outstanding history of organized labor, how it evolved, and how it exists today. He provides excellent background, complete with anecdotes and legal issues. While his emphasis speaks to the medical field, his discussions are applicable to virtually any field. I strongly urge managers, leaders, and all students to read and study the valuable information contained in this excellent book.
Well done Dr. Sall.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
a fascinating look at America's society Aug 01, 2006
Conspiracy theories abound but how do they come to be? Does anyone really make up their own mind about things that our culture has so much influence on? In Richard E. Sall's book, "Behind the Union Curtain," he examines the abundant distrust that worker's compensation patients have of the company doctor, and how this vicious cycle all began. Doing so took his research into the beginnings of unions and the people who started it all. This look into our history and the affects it all has on us now is most interesting and opens the mind to wonder about so many other instances where our minds may be made up for us by something larger than ourselves...society.
Having just reviewed another book that dealt with the railroad construction of our country with the labor of new immigrants who served basically as workhorses, I was highly interested in the very beginnings of unions being formed by these same strong-willed persons. The personal tales are told in this book, the statistics and facts of the first pre-paid medical coverage, and the first inclinations of fear for the care that was needed versus what was actually given...all for the matter of saving a buck. Here lies the start of society's distrust. Sall goes on to examine the development of unions, strikes, management, company doctors, and the lack of trust that grew at the same rate.
"Behind the Union Curtain" is a fascinating look at America's society. These are issues that most of us will have to deal with at some point, and even if not directly, the psychological impact is on us all. It is a well written work with variety in its text, including quotes, well researched facts, first hand stories, and well spoken narrative. In the voice of Richard E. Sall, MD, the book offers a unique perspective.
Review by Heather Froeschl.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
The Truth about Union Workers and the Doctors their Companies use Jul 18, 2006
Richard Sall has done it again, a great book based on truth. This book starts out way back in the 1800's but focuses on the worker/doctor issues in the early 1900's. You will learn about how the injured workers of the Great Depression influences the labor laws that are in effect to this day. If you don't know how a Union works, this is the book for you.
Dr. Sall defines the conflict between the company appointed doctors and the union workers they deal with. He does something no one else has done and offers ideas on resolutions to this widely unknown issue. If you can't trust your doctor, who can you trust?
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